Is there an argument to be made that the 2016 GT350R is more better in some way than the later versions?

[Paddles]

I have to vent.... I think I got caught up in the ethos of this car for a long time and it's taken me years to admit that even the 2020 was just not that fun to drive. The moments at the limit were pretty great, and it pulled enough G forces to physically hurt. But, on cup2's, and at the limit I basically had 36 minutes of fun and then a $2300 bill for new tires which hardly any shop can put on the carbon wheels properly -- and DEFINITELY don't take it to a Ford dealership for that.

On a twisty at slow speeds I don't really get to pick my line like I might've imagined and I'm sitting too high for it to feel like a long and low race car. So, maybe it's time to move on from this platform

I am content with having the car for cars and coffee, but even then, if I don't pick the final two years of it, I'm left with what many buyers would call a ticking time bomb engine. The whole point of having a big name automaker like Ford creating the car was to get something that wouldn't explode itself.

Is anyone else frustrated with this car like I am? I thought about buying a GR86, coming to the conclusion that nothing beats lightweight. But then I missed all of the things about the R and wanted to come back. Now I don't know what to do.

I met a guy that was on his 5th or 6th GT350R and he expressed the idea that he just enjoyed the hunt. He befriended me on a call and then made a detailed case, using my comments from our call, for why I should sell him my 2019 far below the price I had listed at. What kind of owner is this? The worst kind.

I hate to see you go but it does sound like you're looking for something more refined and reliable.
The Mustang rages and crashes its way around the racetrack. It's fun but definitely not as refined as a lighter more purpose built sports car.
As far as reliability goes these days I feel like it's a lottery more than anything.

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[K4fxd]

Not sure if it has been mentioned but the 2016 is the lightest car.

 

[Markmarkmr]

Not sure if it has been mentioned but the 2016 is the lightest car.

Is that just the base? Minus the electronics package?

 

[K4fxd]

Is that just the base? Minus the electronics package?

Not sure how much that adds but the 16 is 100 Lbs lighter than the 20. Not much but these are fat pigs anyway and every pound less helps.

 

[JAJ]

Is that just the base? Minus the electronics package?

The GT500 block is about 20 pounds heavier than the original Voodoo block, making the "Gen 2" a little bit pudgier. I always chuckle when I see people gushing on about the later engine. If FP had started GT350 production with the heavier engine from 2015 to 2018, and then replaced it with the lighter version, people would be boasting about having that great new light-weight Voodoo. Then, yes, there's also the electronics system - starting with 2018, backup cameras became law, and some extra stuff had to be added to the base chassis.

 

[PP0001]

Not sure if it has been mentioned but the 2016 is the lightest car.

Curious as to where you obtained your information from?

Lastly, are you speaking about a 2-seat or 4-seat GT350 model and which specific model?

 

[PP0001]

Not sure how much that adds but the 16 is 100 Lbs lighter than the 20. Not much but these are fat pigs anyway and every pound less helps.

Not sure what your definition of a fat pig is but I have a CAT scale ticket in front of me for a 2018 GT350R that I owned and the curb weight is listed at 3,620#.

Have you ever owned or driven one of these fat pigs?

 

[S550HPP]

The GT500 block is about 20 pounds heavier than the original Voodoo block, making the "Gen 2" a little bit pudgier. I always chuckle when I see people gushing on about the later engine. If FP had started GT350 production with the heavier engine from 2015 to 2018, and then replaced it with the lighter version, people would be boasting about having that great new light-weight Voodoo. Then, yes, there's also the electronics system - starting with 2018, backup cameras became law, and some extra stuff had to be added to the base chassis.

Even 100 lb is nothing when folks adding 100+ on bigger wheels and tires and more with other accessories...

 

[K4fxd]

Not sure what your definition of a fat pig is

Anything over 3200 pounds

 

[K4fxd]

Curious as to where you obtained your information from?

Google brings up much info from Ford

 

[Rev Happy]

I have to vent.... I think I got caught up in the ethos of this car for a long time and it's taken me years to admit that even the 2020 was just not that fun to drive. The moments at the limit were pretty great, and it pulled enough G forces to physically hurt. But, on cup2's, and at the limit I basically had 36 minutes of fun and then a $2300 bill for new tires which hardly any shop can put on the carbon wheels properly -- and DEFINITELY don't take it to a Ford dealership for that.

On a twisty at slow speeds I don't really get to pick my line like I might've imagined and I'm sitting too high for it to feel like a long and low race car. So, maybe it's time to move on from this platform

I am content with having the car for cars and coffee, but even then, if I don't pick the final two years of it, I'm left with what many buyers would call a ticking time bomb engine. The whole point of having a big name automaker like Ford creating the car was to get something that wouldn't explode itself.

Is anyone else frustrated with this car like I am? I thought about buying a GR86, coming to the conclusion that nothing beats lightweight. But then I missed all of the things about the R and wanted to come back. Now I don't know what to do.

I met a guy that was on his 5th or 6th GT350R and he expressed the idea that he just enjoyed the hunt. He befriended me on a call and then made a detailed case, using my comments from our call, for why I should sell him my 2019 far below the price I had listed at. What kind of owner is this? The worst kind.

What car is more fun at this price point?

 

[wingnutt]

What car is more fun at this price point?

yea that…

I have to say I prefer the original interior spec. But if I were to buy another GT350, it would have to be grabber lime.

…and this, or any of the orange colors

 

[Markmarkmr]

What car is more fun at this price point?

Hellcat, Giulia Quadrifoglio

And at maybe a little more, AMG GT and Vantage

But I agree it's about price point. It's a shame that this is true IMO. We are left with fewer and fewer reasonable options.

 

[Champale]

Hellcat, Giulia Quadrifoglio

And at maybe a little more, AMG GT and Vantage

But I agree it's about price point. It's a shame that this is true IMO. We are left with fewer and fewer reasonable options.

Have driven Hellcats (and owned a Trackhawk for 5 years), have driven multiple QFs,, and have driven an AMG GTR on some excellent twisty backroads. They are all so exciting to drive and excellent cars. But my 350R stands above those in terms of driving enjoyment.

This is a weird thread, by the way. OP you started by saying you want another 350R and then pivoted to saying the 350R isn't fun and maybe you don't want one. What a rollercoaster ride!

 

[Markmarkmr]

Anything over 3200 pounds

I have to agree. This is about the weight where it starts to feel like the car, on the track, is basically saying that it doesn't want to be there.

I love the R and I have to admit that I am emotionally tied to the platform, but the way it destroys the Cup2's is just more evidence of its heftiness.

I know it's lauded for its performance on the track but the one issue I can't seem to work around is its overall weight.

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